Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-05-27
MINETTE.
Springfield Republican.

name OF Sunette, ''for," said she, "the |
little thing seems to food every place |
where she happens to be with sun
shine. One day as the tiny girl sat on |
a little circle OF closely shaver turf
where stood a fine marble statue OF
Hebe that some person had given to
decorate the hospital grounds, sing.
ing. as her habit was. at the top OF
her bird-like voice, one OF the young
musicians came th9t way and asked.
What is beneath you, my happy
baby?'
Grass" replied the child promptly,
pulling her scant check shirt about
her dimp'ed knees, cor do you see
bug or an ant, or any creeping thing?"
and she looked about her uneasily.
Nothing of the kind. little one,"
said the young man laughing. "Whas
is beneath the grass?"
Dirt is" said Minette, shutting
her rosy lips tight. Il know l saw
Paul the gardener, plant rose tree"
Good. What is beneath the dirt?"
Don't know" and the rosy lips
pursed themselves in puzzled ex-
preston.
II will tell you, my beauty" said
the young doctor, mysteriously. sit
is China, and the people who live there
look like the pictures on madam's tea
set and on the fire screen in the old
doctors room. II you sing long
enough and loud enough they will hear
yon and come. bringing whatever you
| like best"
II would like mamma and a
papa" The answer was at once forth
coming and the lips tightly closed.
And a wax doll and a kitten?"
no. my mamma and my papa will
get what else want. / shall sing for
| them"
well, must say that. considering
| the circumstances, you have very
clear ideas OF parental responsible
ties" and the young man went laugh
ing on his way. laughing again as he
paused a moment az the hospital
| door TO listen to Minette, who seemed
| to have tuned her pipes anew in order
to raise her Chinese benefactors.
You are happy infant" said a
nurse girl the next day, was cross
ing tbs. bit OF a park and could not re,
sist the temptation of speaking to
sIinette-iew people could.
''Oh. it is not just simply because
am happy that sing" confded the
little girl. Have you heard that
China is just beneath, and ii the iun
nv people there hear me sing they vii
come, bringing me just exactly what
am wishing for most OF anything
The good Dr.. Octave told me so.
This with a sideways pcrk OF thu
small head and questioning hook il
the blue eyes.
THAT is all very well" said tn,
maid. settling her white muslin cal
on her head with both hands; but
fear he did not tell you that yot
must not be forever singing the sam
song. for the queer people in China
who dwell beneath you, VIII not com
until they hear the song they bes
like"
"Oh. dear" sighed Miuette, petulan
for lust a moment. 1T may be tina
do not know the song that they lik
best. will sing them all over, and
they do not appear, you, Babettt
must teach me another"
"Wi!l you be pleased to teach me
song that do not already know
was the little girls quaint request Z
nearly every stranger who entered tn
grounds after that.
Sometimes the petition was granted
sometimes it was not; but every on
went away with q pleasant though
! of Minette hung like picture on tn
gallery OF memory.
: One morning lady ana eentlema
came quietly in at the gate and walk
. ed about quietly regarding the chi
! dren playing here and there. As usu
al Minette was on the circular bit {
turf at the base OF the statue OF Hebt
| For she supposed that only in tina
very spot was China directly beneat
her She WAS singing a quaint lttl
love song, taught her only the day b'
before by produce vender. ana a
the newcomers paused to listen, sh
said VIEW sweetly.
..WlI you please TO teach ME a son
that | do not already know how t
, sing?"
You will have to sing me the one
Won do know. my little girl. so that
NAV be sure of teaching you one 20
do not ~,
..Will YOU indeed stay to hear theI
! a!la" asked Mnette eagerly. NO or
has ever done that.
: Il think We WILL" and the lad
/ sat down on garden coar IN I'll
. ! shade of laurel bush, and folded NJ
) hands TO listen. q,
Minette sang her very best. and st
,, sang on and on and on. until her poN
ar OF voice and her memory were
marvel to her listeners. AT last as 81
began the very earliest OF her lullaby
: the lady burst into tears, and becSo'
inc TO her husband, who was pac'r
/, mn and down the gravel walk near b.
: she said:
"Tbis is the child that l haveset m
|, heart upon. can be content within
other. Come here. little enc, and
Mill be to you father and mother
"Oh. how did you come from IN
MAJ" asked Minette, allowing herse
m he folded in the lady's arms, not
mo donbting. Il thou Int you was
come springing up through the tur
sn5 have looked and looked ,oryo
. lint you are here and am ready